Women in the Sharifistani military
Women are present in all roles of the Sharifistani military except the infantry and the Air Cavalry Guards. Women are especially likely to be members of the Royal Medical Corps.
History
At the establishment of Sharifistan in 1922, female enlisted personnel in the Royal Sharifistani Army were only allowed in five Corps: the Logistics Corps, the Royal Medical Corps, the Catering Corps and the Royal Women’s Corps and the Royal Sharifistani Army Intelligence Corps. Female officers were also prohibited from combat roles (though female personnel were issued weapons with which to defend themselves).
In 1939, women were permitted in all roles in the Army except the infantry.
In 2014, Sultan Suleiman Khan allowed women to join the Navy.
There were never any restrictions on women in the Air Cavalry besides prohibiting them from serving in the Air Cavalry Guard.
Current regulations
Women may do any job in any branch of the military except for the infantry. Women are especially likely to work in the Royal Medical Corps and Logistics Corps.
Treatment
Women in the Sharifistani military a generally feel valued by their male colleagues.
Rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment are not tolerated, with punishments ranging from death as the norm for a person convicted of rape at court-martial (whether a serviceman or captured enemy) to 80 lashes for sexual harassment.
Nevertheless female military personnel often feel patronised by terms of endearment such as “kitten” being given to enlisted women by their male colleagues or by the title Bakire Sharif (translated as “young noblewoman”) given to officers which could also translate as “noble virgin”.
In addition relatively low-level sexual harassment by officers of subordinates does occur and is underreported amongst inexperienced female recruits.
Uniform
For operational purposes women wear a uniform described as a “war Çarşaf“, it contains Çarşaf-like cloak covering from the lower part of the face to the upper legs, trackpants covering the lower legs (for greater manoeuvrability) and a helmet covering the hair. Body armour is worn underneath for protection.
For ceremonial purposes a normal Khimar (headscarf) and Çarşaf is worn along with a name badge and epaulettes. Female officers also wear gold jewellery on ceremonial occasions.
See also
LGBT people in the Sharifistani military
Religious minorities in the Sharifistani military
Kurds in the Sharifistani military